Props like these are often used in restorative or modified yoga to help people with injuries or limitations get into the poses.

Written by

Theresa Keegan
| For the Poughkeepsie Journal

Exercise's health benefits are easily accessible to mainstream populations, but for people with either cognitive or physical challenges who can't engage in complex or demanding activities, adaptive and restorative exercise options are increasingly popular.

"It's a process of honoring each step along the way," said MaryRose Donaghy, yoga director at Life in Balance in Fishkill, which offers a restorative yoga class as well as different intro levels. "It's not having that expectation you should be standing on one foot and touching your forehead with your other foot."